Telescoping outdoor switchboard and aisle sections

ABSTRACT

The aisle section of outdoor walk-in type switchgear is telescoped over the front of the switchboard during shipment and is telescoped outwardly and is assembled with an aisle floor when delivered to its site of installation. Lifting and shipping members are provided as integral parts of the telescoping assembly.

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 United States Patent Cuorato et a1.

Bergstrom,...............................

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The aisle section of outdoor walk-in type switchgear is telescoped overthe front of the switchboard during shipment and is telescoped outwardlyand is assembled with an aisle floor when delivered to its site ofinstallation. Lifting and shipping members are provided as integralparts of the telescoping assembly.

Corporation,

...H02b l/06 Imperial Philadelphia, Pa.

Dec. 13, 1971 Wortman References Cited [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

[21] App1.No.: 207,428

[52] [51 Int. [58] Field of Search ..312/205; 317/101 CB, 99,103,

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,952,799 9/1960 TELESCOPING OUTDOOR SWITCI-IBOARDAND AISLE SECTIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tooutdoor walk-in type switchgear, and more specifically relates to anovel construction for such switchgear in which the aisle section ismovable to a telescoping position over the front of the switchboard inorder to reduce volume and increase strength of the assembly duringshipping.

Outdoor walk-in switchgear is well known, and is typically shown forexample in the US. Pat. to Wortman et al. No. 2,952,799. Such switchgeargenerally consists of a switchboard section and an aisle section. Theaisle section forms a waterproof enclosure located in front of asingle-row switchboard or between the fronts of a double-rowswitchboard. Conventionally, the aisle may be constructed of unitaryswitchboardframe width sections which are fastened together with endpanels at both ends of the aisle containing doors providing access tothe aisles.

conventionally, the aisle section of outdoor switchgear is disassembledfrom the switchboard frame when the unit is shipped. The complete deviceis then reassembled in the field, at the installation site. The fielderection costs are relatively high due to the necessary labor involvedin the reassembly and because of loss and damage of the many loose partswhich are involved.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention,the switchgear is so constructed that the aisle section and switchboardsection may be telescoped over one another during shipment, thereby toreduce volume and shipping costs while simplifying erection in thefield. Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided afactory-assembled aisle section designed to nest over or telescope overthe switchboard assembly during shipment. The roof and sides of theaisle section and switchboard section are designed to permit lifting andshipping as a unit by the provision of suitable hardware for receivinglifting hooks and the like. When a floor is required for the aislesection, the floor is shipped separately and assembled while theswitchgear is being installed.

Among the numerous advantages provided by the invention are:

The bulk of the assembly has been factory assembled rather than fieldassembled, and shipping damages and losses are minimized.

Field assembly time is reduced to a minimum, and the user is assuredthat the aisle and switchboard components will arrive at the sitetogether.

There is good control of the weatherproofing between the aisle and theswitchboard, since weatherproofing occurs in factory-assembled sealhousings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top elevation view of aswitchboard having a telescoping aisle frame member telescopingthereover for shipping purposes.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 which shows the telescopedaisle pulled out and placed in position to form an aisle in front of theswitchboard. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the elevation ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3 to illustratethe aisle which is formed in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view of the rear of the switchboard of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the switchgear of the invention in aposition shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the elevation of FIG. 6 to show thetelescoping components in their with-drawn position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to the view of FIG. 7 and showsthe telescoping aisle section in its collapsed position as in FIGS. 1and 3, and in position for shipping.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the telescoped arrangement of the FIGS.1, 3 and 8 shown in lifted position while being moved to a foundation.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 9 after beingseated on its foundation with the lifting cables connected to the aisleenclosure preparatory to moving the aisle enclosure to its withdrawnposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to thedrawings, there is illustrated a switchboard which is of a conventionaltype and is shown herein as containing five identical frame units 21 to25. Each of the frame units 21 to 25 are of the conventional type forreceiving circuit protection equipment, such as a circuit breaker whichcan be racked in and out of the enclosure. Bus and cable compartments,along with metering equipment compartments, may also be provided. Eachof the individual enclosures 21 to 25 may further contain openabledoors, such as doors 26 to 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

All of the cubicles share a common rear wall 31 which is defined by thecontinuation of each of the individual rear walls of the individualframe assemblies. A floor 32 (FIGS. 7 and 8) is formed by a continuationof the individual floors of each of the individual framed units 21 to25. In a similar manner, the switchboard 20 has a roof 33 (FIGS. 5, 7and 9), again formed by the individual roof elements of the individualframe units. Note in FIGS. 7 and 8 the roof 33 may slope downwardly topermit drainage of rain and snow.

The individual frames 21 to 25 are then suitably connected to oneanother in any desired manner, and are conventionally supported as bysupport I'-beams shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as the I-beams 40, 41 and 42.The I- beams 40 and 41 have lifting brackets 50-51 and 52-53respectively extending therefrom, as best shown in FIGS. 1,2 and 9.

In order to form a weatherproof aisle for the switchboard 20, an aisleenclosure 60 is provided where the aisle enclosure 60 may be formed ofindividual frame sections identical in width to the width of framesections 21 to 25 of the switchboard 20. By way of example, individualframe sections 61 to 65 may be bolted together in any desired manner toform the body of the aisle enclosure 60. Two end sections 66 and 67 arethen bolted to the ends of the aisle enclosure with these end sectionscarrying doors 68 and 69 respectively, which allow entrance to thecenter aisle 70 formed by the aisle enclosure 60. As in the case of theswitchboard construction, the individual frame member elements 61 to 69,as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, define a sidewall 80, a top wall 81, and theside walls 68 and 69, previously mentioned.

It should be noted that the frame units forming the telescoping aisleenclosure 60 do not contain floor elements. Thus, if a floor is requiredin the aisle, the floor 82 is formed separately and consists of separatefloor panels shown in FIG. 7.

The combination of the switchboard enclosure and aisle section shown,for example, in FIG. 7, is of a type well known to the art, with theassembly previously having been made in the field from individuallyshipped components. In accordance with the present invention, however,the aisle enclosure is adapted to telescope to a collapsed position asshown in FIGS 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10 during shipping, so that a relativelylow-volume package is handled. Moreover, the package shipped hasincreased strength, and is less likely to undergo distortion fromarectangular shape to a trapezoidal shape during shipping, since theswitchboard section and aisle section tend to reinforce one another.

To allow telescoping, the aisle section 60 is made without a permanentfloor, with the floor being installed at the installation site. Inaddition, the width of the aisle enclosure 60 is made sufficientlylarger than the width of the switchboard that the side sections 66 and67 can telescope over the sides of the switchboard 20. The top of aisleenclosure 60 is then further provided with lifting brackets 90 to 93(FIGS. 1 to 8 and 10) to enable movement of the aisle 60 as will bedescribed in connection with FIG. 10.

In the telescoped position, the enclosure 60 is supported on theswitchboard 20 with the assistance of shipping support blocks, such asblocks I00 and 101 between the top of enclosure 60 and the roof 33 inFIG. 8, along with a further shipping member 102 disposed below thebottom of the wall 80 of shipping enclosure 60. Any suitable clamparrangement (not shown) could also be provided'to hold the aisleenclosure 60 in position during the shipping of the switchgear.

When the assembly reaches the installation site, a

suitable foundation will have been prepared, which could include, forexample, poured foundation piers such as the piers 110, 111 and 112 ofFIGS. 6, 7 and 8, which are arranged to receive I-beams 40, 41 and 42.Further I-beams 43 and 44 support the bottom floor 82 and the main aisleenclosure 60. In order to lift the telescoped or collapsed assembly ofFIG. 9 from the carrying vehicle, a pair of pressure timbers 120 and 121are placed on either side of aisle enclosure 60, and lifting cables areguided over the pressure timbers 120 and 121 by the spreader timberframe 122 and the spreader timbers 123 and 124. Lifting cables are thenconnected to the lifting brackets 50 to 53, and the entire assemblagemay be lifted on to the piers 111 and 112 of FIG. 7. Thereafter, and asshown in FIG. 10, the lifting cables are connected to brackets 90 to 93,and the entire aisle enclosure 60 is moved from the position of FIG. 8to the position of FIG. 7, with the aisle 60 deposited on the floor 82and piers 110 and 11 1. At the same time, a weatherproof sealing gasket130 (FIG. 7) is connected between the peripheries of aisle enclosure 60and switchboard 20 to form a good weather seal.

Although this invention has been described with respect to preferredembodiments, it should be understood that many variations andmodifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art and,there- .fore, the scope of this invention is to be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims. Theembodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or propertyis claimed are defined as follows:

1. An outdoor switchgear assemblage adapted for economical shipmentcomprising, in combination:

a switchboard comprising a generally rectangular metal housing having afront, rear, top and first and second side sections; said front sectionhaving a door therein for defining at least one cubicle adapted for thereception of circuit protective apparatus; and

an aisle enclosure comprising a generally rectangular metal housinghaving a rear, top and first and second side sections; said first sidesection having a door therein; and

means connecting said aisle enclosure to said switchboard, whereby saidtop of said aisle enclosure is connected to said top of said switchboardto form therewith a generally continuous roof, and whereby said firstand second side sections of said aisle enclosure are connected to saidfirst and second side sections respectively of said switchboard, to formtherewith generally continuous side sections, and whereby said rearsection of said aisle enclosure is spaced from said front section ofsaid switchboard to form therewith a weatherproof aisle in front of saidfront section of said switchboard, with said door in said side sectionof said aisle enclosure communicating with said weatherproof aisle; and

said aisle enclosure being collapsible in telescoping relation over saidswitchboard for shipping said switchgear assemblage, wherein said topsection of said aisle enclosure is disposed above said top section ofsaid switchboard; said side sections of said aisle enclosure are spacedapart by a distance greater than the spacing between said side sectionsof said switchboard, and said first and second side sections of saidaisle enclosure are over and alongside of said first and second sidesections of said switchboard, whereby said aisle is substantiallycollapsed.

2. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 wherein said switchboardincludes a plurality of identical frame sections fastened together todefine a plurality of individual cubicles, and. wherein said aisleenclosure includes a similar plurality of identical frame sectionsconnected together.

3. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 which includes metal floormembers for said switchboard and for said aisle enclosure; said aisleenclosure floor member is separable from and of a size not to fit insaid aisle enclosure when it is collapsed but of a size to fit in saidaisle enclosure when said assemblage is assembled open.

4. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 which includes liftingapparatusconnectors connected to the rear of said switchboard to enablelifting of said switchboard with said aisle enclosure telescopedthereover, and which further includes lifting apparatus connectorsconnected to said top section of said aisle enclosure to enable thelifting thereof off of said switchboard and to an extended position toreceive said connection means.

till

7. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 which further includes aplurality of elongated steel beam supports disposed beneath saidswitchboard and said switchgear for supporting said switchgear at itsassembly site.

8. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 which further includes weatherseal means disposed between the adjacent portions of said aisleenclosure and said switchboard when connected by said connection means.

1. An outdoor switchgear assemblage adapted for economical shipmentcomprising, in combination: a switchboard comprising a generallyrectangular metal housing having a front, rear, top and first and secondside sections; said front section having a door therein for defining atleast one cubicle adapted for the reception of circuit protectiveapparatus; and an aisle enclosure comprising a generally rectangularmetal housing having a rear, top and first and second side sections;said first side section having a door therein; and means connecting saidaisle enclosure to said switchboard, whereby said top of said aisleenclosure is connected to said top of said switchboard to form therewitha generally continuous roof, and whereby said first and second sidesections of said aisle enclosure are connected to said first and secondside sections respectively of said switchboard, to form therewithgenerally continuous side sections, and whereby said rear sectioN ofsaid aisle enclosure is spaced from said front section of saidswitchboard to form therewith a weatherproof aisle in front of saidfront section of said switchboard, with said door in said side sectionof said aisle enclosure communicating with said weatherproof aisle; andsaid aisle enclosure being collapsible in telescoping relation over saidswitchboard for shipping said switchgear assemblage, wherein said topsection of said aisle enclosure is disposed above said top section ofsaid switchboard; said side sections of said aisle enclosure are spacedapart by a distance greater than the spacing between said side sectionsof said switchboard, and said first and second side sections of saidaisle enclosure are over and alongside of said first and second sidesections of said switchboard, whereby said aisle is substantiallycollapsed.
 2. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 wherein saidswitchboard includes a plurality of identical frame sections fastenedtogether to define a plurality of individual cubicles, and wherein saidaisle enclosure includes a similar plurality of identical frame sectionsconnected together.
 3. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 whichincludes metal floor members for said switchboard and for said aisleenclosure; said aisle enclosure floor member is separable from and of asize not to fit in said aisle enclosure when it is collapsed but of asize to fit in said aisle enclosure when said assemblage is assembledopen.
 4. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 which includes liftingapparatus connectors connected to the rear of said switchboard to enablelifting of said switchboard with said aisle enclosure telescopedthereover, and which further includes lifting apparatus connectorsconnected to said top section of said aisle enclosure to enable thelifting thereof off of said switchboard and to an extended position toreceive said connection means.
 5. The switchgear assemblage of claim 4which includes metal floor members for said switchboard and for saidaisle enclosure; said aisle enclosure floor member is separable from andis of a size not to fit in said aisle enclosure when it is collapsed butof a size to fit in said aisle enclosure when said assemblage isassembled open.
 6. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 which furtherincludes a second switchboard spaced from said first switchboard; thefront surface of said second switchboard defining said rear surface ofsaid aisle enclosure.
 7. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1 whichfurther includes a plurality of elongated steel beam supports disposedbeneath said switchboard and said switchgear for supporting saidswitchgear at its assembly site.
 8. The switchgear assemblage of claim 1which further includes weather seal means disposed between the adjacentportions of said aisle enclosure and said switchboard when connected bysaid connection means.